This diamond and pearl choker is a recent addition to the royal collection but it has now found a prominent place in the Jewels of the Princess of Wales.
In 1975, Queen Elizabeth II made a state visit to Japan where she was gifted a number of fine cultured pearls. Pearls have become a traditional diplomatic gift from the Japanese as they are very proud to have invented the cultured pearl industry in 1893.
These pearls were eventually set in to a four row choker with a central diamond element by the Crown Jeweller of the time, Garrad.
The choker was first loaned to Princess Diana in 1982 for a banquet at Hampton Court.
Interestingly, she also wore her Sapphire brooch that would go on to form the centre of her own iconic choker.
The choker was then loaned to Kate Middleton when she became the Duchess of Cambridge. She has continued to wear it frequently over the years at significant royal events and it has now become one of her signature jewels.
